Best LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in North America
Best LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in North America
Vibrant historic community neighborhoods and welcoming beach towns in North America
North America is home to some of the world's most iconic LGBTQ+ destinations, built up over decades of visible community and culture.
Major cities across the United States and Canada, including San Francisco, New York and Toronto, have long standing communities, established Pride events and strong legal protections at the national level in Canada and in most states. Mexico City has also become a major hub in recent years, with nationwide marriage equality and a fast growing, visible scene of its own. Legal protections and social attitudes can vary more by state within the United States, so a bit of research helps when planning a trip to a specific destination. Smaller towns tend to feel less established than the region's major hubs, so sticking to bigger cities is often the easier choice.
The destinations on our list for North America reflect that same mix of long standing icons and fast growing newer hubs.
Lists by region
State/Prefecture in United States
Hawaii
Tropical Vibes and Volcanic Wonders
Native Hawaiians have long honoured mahu, people who embody both male and female spirit. Four large stones at Waikiki Beach, the Kapaemahu stones, are a memorial to healers who came from Tahiti with both spirits, while the islands have warm water and sunny beaches on every coast.
City in United States
Honolulu
Aloha Vibes and Ocean Adventures
Part beach holiday and part city break, Honolulu has Queen's Surf Beach at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, a gay friendly stretch of sand with volleyball and sunbathers. Bars and clubs on Kuhio Avenue stay busy at night while the Honolulu Pride parade is held in October.
State/Prefecture in United States
Colorado
Rocky mountains and red rocks
At about one mile above sea level in the Rocky Mountains, Denver has the Capitol Hill neighbourhood and Colfax Avenue, with gay bars and cafes near the state capitol building. Colorado Pride is held in Civic Center Park every June with a parade and music stages.
City in United States
San Francisco
Iconic bridges, rolling hills and vibrant culture
Harvey Milk ran a camera shop on Castro Street before he was elected to the city's Board of Supervisors in 1977. A huge rainbow flag now flies at Harvey Milk Plaza at Castro and Market streets while the rainbow flag itself was designed in San Francisco in 1978 by Gilbert Baker.
Island in United States
Fire Island
Sunlit shores and vibrant boardwalks
From Memorial Day to Labor Day the car free communities of Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines are busy with weekend guests who arrive by ferry from Long Island. Each 4 July drag queens arrive by boat to reenact the Invasion of the Pines, a 1976 protest after one was refused service.
City in United States
Miami Beach
The ultimate blend of sun, sand and Art Deco charm
On a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic, South Beach has pastel Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive and 12th Street Beach, where sunbathers gather around a lifeguard tower flying a rainbow flag. The Miami Beach Pride parade is held on Ocean Drive each April.
State/Prefecture in United States
California
Golden State of Endless Experiences
The sound of bands and cheering crowds rises along University Avenue in San Diego's Hillcrest neighbourhood each July during San Diego Pride, which has a parade through Hillcrest and a big festival in Balboa Park. Farther north the Russian River town of Guerneville has been a gay resort getaway among redwoods for decades.
Town in United States
Provincetown
Coastal charm meets vibrant arts scene
The Pilgrims landed here in 1620 before settling at Plymouth, while artists and writers later made the town a haven where gay residents and holidaymakers have felt at home for decades. Commercial Street has galleries and drag cabaret shows while Carnival week in August has a parade of floats.
City in Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
Beaches, sunsets and vibrant streets
Rainbow flags hang over the cobbled streets of the Zona Romantica, the old town south of the Cuale River, where the sound of mariachi and dance music comes from small bars and beach clubs. Los Muertos Beach has a pier and sunbathers while Vallarta Pride is held in May.
City in United States
Seattle
Where nature and innovation converge
On the last Sunday of June the Seattle Pride Parade goes down 4th Avenue through downtown with floats and marching groups. Capitol Hill, the neighbourhood best known for gay bars and cafes, has rainbow painted pedestrian crossings along Broadway where people gather afterwards for drinks and dancing.
City in United States
Palm Springs
Desert Modernism and Mountain Views
Arenas Road is the main gay nightlife street in downtown Palm Springs with bars, cabaret shows and dance clubs under palm trees. Winter days are near 70 degrees Fahrenheit so guests lounge by the pool at the many gay friendly resorts, while Palm Springs Pride is held in early November.
City in Canada
Montreal
A city of festivals, food and culture
From May to October a pedestrian stretch of Sainte-Catherine Street in the Village has thousands of pink balls hung overhead, so patios and bars are lively under a pink canopy. Montreal Pride is held in August with a big parade that goes through downtown and the Village.
City in Canada
Toronto
A vibrant mix of cultures and skyline
Torontonians celebrate Pride every June with a big parade down Yonge Street while the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood, called the Village, has rainbow pedestrian crossings, patios and dance clubs open late. Ontario allowed same sex marriage in 2003 and the whole country followed in 2005 with a national law.
City in United States
Aspen
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
Aspen Gay Ski Week is held every January with costume ski runs, apres ski parties and dance nights, so skiers from around the country gather in a town known for welcoming everyone. Four mountains are close together while Aspen Mountain has runs that start right above the town centre.
Island in United States
Oahu
Hawaii’s Vibrant Island Adventure
Like two islands in one, Oahu has busy Waikiki on the south shore and quiet surf towns such as Haleiwa on the North Shore, where winter waves can reach 30 feet at Waimea Bay. The island is welcoming to same sex couples, who have been able to marry in Hawaii since 2013.
City in United States
Las Vegas
Lights, Luxury and Limitless Fun
The Commercial Center district east of the Strip, called the Fruit Loop, is a cluster of gay bars and clubs that stay open all night. The big resorts on the Strip have drag shows and pool parties while Las Vegas Pride is held in October.
City in Mexico
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
Music, whistles and cheers carry along Paseo de la Reforma in late June, when hundreds of thousands of people march to the Zocalo square in the Pride parade. The Zona Rosa neighbourhood has gay bars and cafes on Amberes Street while same sex marriage has been legal in the city since 2010.
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
New Yorkers and visitors march down Fifth Avenue on the last Sunday of June in the Pride March, which grew from a march in 1970 on the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street is part of a national monument and still serves drinks.
City in United States
Los Angeles
The city of stars, beaches and dreams
Christopher Street West held a Pride march on Hollywood Boulevard in 1970, a year after the Stonewall riots, while the same group still runs LA Pride each June. In nearby West Hollywood, Santa Monica Boulevard has rainbow pedestrian crossings and a long row of gay bars and cafes.
City in United States
Santa Monica
California Cool on the Pacific
Just north of Santa Monica on the Pacific coast, Will Rogers State Beach has a section near lifeguard station 18 called Ginger Rogers Beach, a well known LGBTQ+ gathering spot with volleyball courts. SaMo Pride, held each June since 2019, has live music at Santa Monica Place and games on the pier.
City in Canada
Vancouver
Where mountains, ocean and city life meet
Like a beach town with skyscrapers, Vancouver has Davie Village, a few blocks from English Bay, where the pedestrian crossings are painted in rainbow colours and the pubs and cafes have patios. Pride is held every August with a parade on the first Sunday through the West End and downtown.
City in United States
Boston
Historic charm meets modern innovation
In 2004 Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples while the South End neighbourhood now has rainbow flags on brownstone houses and gay owned restaurants on Tremont Street. Boston Pride is held in June with a big parade through downtown.
State/Prefecture in United States
Vermont
Green Mountains, Maple Syrup, Pure Charm
The golden domed State House in Montpelier is where lawmakers passed the first civil union law in the country in 2000 and voted for marriage equality in 2009. Burlington holds its Pride parade and festival in September, when maple leaves turn red and gold across the hills.
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